CORVALLIS, Ore. — Researchers at Oregon State University are trying to help developers build stronger homes and buildings in areas hit hard by the elements.

At the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory, researchers from the university and from across the U.S. are testing construction, one wave at a time.

Generally, while doing research, one is hoping to find some success — but in this case, they're hoping to fail.

"We have a number of communities living on the coast, and the storm surges are damaging some of those houses," explained Pedro Lomonaco, the director of OSU's wave lab. "These two homes behind me are built on a 1-to-3 scale, meaning they are three times smaller than a regular house."

With every wave slamming the house, it tells them what's happening to its integrity.

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